Vital weekend for Liverpool and Chelsea

HAVING been major players in the doomed plan to wreck the Champions League this week, Chelsea and Liverpool face a crucial weekend trying to ensure they qualify for next season's edition via a topfour finish.

Chelsea edged back into the top four with a draw against Brighton on Tuesday, but only by virtue of goal difference over West Ham United, who they face tomorrow.

West Ham were one of the most vocal clubs in criticising Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal's decision to jump on board the European Super League ship.

Chelsea and the other five English renegades all made dramatic U-turns on Tuesday, effectively killing off the new 20-club league in which 15 founder members would have been guaranteed permanent residence.

West Ham will have acquired an army of new fans for their home clash with Chelsea.

Newcastle might also have a little added motivation when they travel to Anfield to play Liverpool a few hours earlier as they seek an unlikely victory that would surely banish their relegation fears.

West Ham have been a revelation this season, but with the prize of a topfour finish tantalisingly close, they suffered a fit of nerves last week in a 3-2 defeat at Newcastle.

But the fact that Chelsea drew 0-0 with Brighton on Tuesday and Liverpool also failed to beat Leeds United on Monday let them off the hook and left the top-four battle on a knife edge with Chelsea and West Ham on 55 points and Liverpool on 53, all having six games remaining.

Tottenham also have 53 points after a 2-1 victory over Southampton on Wednesday, but only have five games left.

Tottenham face City in the League Cup final on Sunday with interim manager Ryan Mason in charge following Monday's sacking of Jose Mourinho.